WELCOME HOME. Fifteen Dabawenyo students of the Mindanao State University in Marawi City return home to Davao City on Tuesday (Dec. 5, 2023). Task Force Davao chief Col. Darren Comia said the city government of Davao immediately acted to ensure the safety of the students after the Dec. 3 bomb explosion in the university that killed four and injured 50 people. (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.)
TANDAG CITY, Surigao del Sur – The Police Regional Office in the Caraga Region (PRO-13) is on full alert following the magnitude 7.4 tremor that struck the province and the deadly bombing in Marawi City over the weekend.
Maj. Jennifer Omiter, the PRO-13 Information office chief, said the heightened alert status was to ensure the readiness and response capabilities of police units in the region.
“Police personnel are now deployed to secure airports, seaports, and other vital installations in the Caraga Region in response to any threats to peace and order in the area,” Omiter said in a phone interview Tuesday.
She said the full alert status was ordered by the Philippine National Police national headquarters, which directed PRO-13 to prepare standby equipment and coordinate with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.
Additional safeguard
Meanwhile, PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft said all unit commanders were also instructed to intensify checkpoints and police visibility.
“Complacency has no place in our hearts following the bombing incident in Marawi City,” Kraft said, adding that all police officers shall render an additional 50 percent of duty time to their scheduled duty detail or shift.
Davao alert vs. terror attacks
This developed as the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) also raised its alert status due to the Mindanao State University-Marawi gymnasium bombing in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, on Dec. 3.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the DCPO said checkpoints in the city's border control and other areas are being strengthened through the Davao Defense System (DDS).
DCPO’s Oplan DDS imposed tighter security measures within the city and its surrounding borders to thwart possible terrorist attacks.
“The DCPO will intensify police visibility in all churches situated in Davao City and under its City Explosive and K9 Unit, DCPO will also conduct paneling operations before any activity commences for the public's safety,” the police office said.
Homebound
Meanwhile, after the bloody attack that killed four persons and wounded at least 50 others, 16 students of MSU-Marawi City arrived home in Davao City on Tuesday.
In an interview, Col. Darren Comia, the TFD commander, said the Davao City government coordinated with the military units in Marawi for the safe return of the students.
The City Social Welfare and Development Office - Davao also provided psychosocial services to the students. (PNA)
